The House of Tiny Tearaways
Family Eight : Sleeping
and Breastfeeding
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Alex (39), Toney (44), Tiimu (six years and
ten months) and Tobi (two years and one month) from Croydon
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Tobi has not slept through the night since he was born,
and will wake three to eight times during a night, demanding to be breast-fed.
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He ends up in bed with Alex and Toney, which means Toney
often sleeps on the sofa downstairs - or Alex gets into Tobi's bed.
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Alex feels that Tobi's breastfeeding dominates her routine
and is exhausting her. Alex has tried giving him water instead of milk,
but he won't accept it and will throw the bottle across the room.
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Alex is worried that breastfeeding Tobi is making Tiimu
jealous. Tobi and Tiimu spend a lot of time fighting, screaming and
shouting. If Alex refuses to breastfeed Tobi, he will argue then start
screaming.
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Alex is white British and Toney is Afro-Caribbean;
they met in Tobago when Alex was travelling. They are a close couple
and are supportive of each other. They are quite stuck in their views
and values.
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Alex is studying art and music. She looks after the
kids a lot on her own as Toney is away with work for large amounts of
time - so she feels like a single parent.
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Tobi's sleeping problems are putting a real strain on
their relationship. They never have a night alone and often Alex will
try and catch up on sleep when Toney is around, so they don't end up
spending any time together at all.
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